Page 24 of Seven Letters

‘Yes, very bloody annoying.’

‘Look, I know she can be a bit overpowering and territorial around Dad, but the important thing is that he’s happy. And, you know, he really is. His face lit up when he talked about being married again.’

‘Well, I guess I’ll just have to suck it up, even though she drives me nuts. God, I miss Mum. She’d hate Olivia. I’d say she’s shouting from the grave, “Get that cow out of my house.”’

They laughed.

‘She’ll probably haunt them,’ Sarah said.

‘I still talk to her sometimes,’ Mia admitted.

‘Do you?’

She nodded. ‘When Johnny lost his job, I asked her to help me with the stress, and I ask her advice on what to do with Riley.’

‘Does she answer?’ Sarah asked tentatively.

Mia grinned. ‘I’m not nuts – of course she doesn’t. But … I often remember her advice, things she said to me growing up, and I try to use her wisdom. She was always good at giving advice. I miss that.’

‘It bothered me that she never really liked Adam.’

‘She did like him,’ Mia lied. Her mother had never warmed to him. She could see he was good to Sarah and that he adored her, but she felt his ambition would be a problem in their marriage. His desperation to prove himself as a businessman in order to put his awful childhood behind him had worried Penny. ‘I admire his drive,’ she’d admitted to Mia once, ‘but it seems to consume him. He might never stop trying to prove himself and never be able to enjoy what he has. I’m worried Sarah will end up raising her kids alone while he’s working all the time.’

She’d been right. Adam did work day and night, and Sarah was alone all the time. She said she didn’t mind and she understood him, but Mia knew it bothered her.

‘She always used to say, “Make him come home for dinner,” or “Make him take holidays,”’ Sarah said, ‘but Adam is rarely home for dinner, and when we go on holidays, he’s on his phone a lot of the time. We had a big fight the day of the scan when he didn’t show up, and I told him that he has to be around for this baby. I think he will be because it’s a boy and he wants to teach him football and all that stuff. I hope so anyway.’

Mia patted her sister’s hand. ‘It’ll all work out. Adam’s a family man at heart. He adores you and Izzy.’

They were silent for a bit. Then Mia said, ‘Is it normal that I’m jealous of my father’s sex life? Dad and Olivia seem to be having great sex. Johnny and I are in a total slump.’

Sarah covered her eyes. ‘Stop! I really don’t want to picture it. All I can see is wriggly bits and saggy bits and … arggh …’

Mia laughed. ‘And her boobs swaying. I mean, they’re like watermelons.’

‘Imagine Dad’s face stuck between them!’

They both cracked up laughing.

Izzy came in from the TV room wearing a white T-shirt with purple bobbles across the chest and purple leggings to match. ‘What are you laughing about?’ she asked.

Mia wiped her eyes. ‘Just something your mum said.’

‘Tell me,’ Izzy said, climbing onto her mother’s knee.

‘I was just being silly, Sweet-pea.’

Mia decided to distract her niece. ‘Are you getting excited about your Communion?’

‘Yes! I can’t wait. Mummy’s getting me a bouncy castle and a chocolate fountain, and we’re making special party bags for everyone and there’ll be millions of pink balloons and pink cupcakes with sparkles on them!’ Izzy squealed.

‘Seriously?’ Mia looked at Sarah.

‘Yes, the party is going to be completely over the top and fabulous.’ Sarah kissed Izzy.

Mia smiled. Sarah’s parties for Izzy were always over the top and fabulous. Mia wondered if she should have had bigger and better parties for Riley. Izzy’s childhood memories were going to be of magical times and a calm, loving, endlessly patient mother. She was a very lucky little girl. ‘It sounds amazing, Izzy. I can’t wait to come, and you know how proud I am to be your godmother.’

‘I’m proud too.’ Izzy beamed at her aunt. Then she said,‘Was Clara in big trouble today? I saw you giving out to her in the corridor after break.’

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